The death of Rolls Royce - Page 5

zit · 12-01-04, 04:10 PM

the problem is american muscles are critsized 2 much but i mean comparing them 2 cars like a 911 , 360 is unfair these cars are a unique breed that i firmly believe should be exploited in the uk with chassis and suspension mods muscles and pony cars could be real winners in the uk it just appears that nobody has thought about this yet and GM and american branches of manufacturers with a bit of effort can start a lucrative market in europe

LateNightCable · 12-01-04, 07:03 PM

American style cars are kind of a niche in Europe and the UK. You'll find people who are big fans, but the market never seems to be big. Small importers could definitely make some business though. Even Ford who has a large presence overseas doesn't offer the Mustang, but they do offer the GT. Interestingly, they also offer a minivan in the UK called the Galaxy, which is the name of a 60's Ford with a bit of a muscle reputation.

GM still sells the Corvette overseas, especially now with it's new " international " proportions. About the only real pony car left though is the Mustang, I think their could be a good little foreign market for one's like the Cobra and such.

thepolarfoxqx · 12-02-04, 12:27 AM

I think if ford sends the mustang to europe (and i think they should), only send the various 8 cylender variants and only with the optional independent rear suspension and they'll have a winner.

LateNightCable · 12-02-04, 08:01 PM

That would be the Cobra, and any variation of it. Sending a live-axle V6 Mustang overseas would be like selling the BMW 730d in the U.S. - Who would buy it?

thepolarfoxqx · 12-02-04, 08:20 PM

Who would buy a 730d here? The person who wants an E320CDI, but finds it too small.

The '05 GT offers the independent rear suspension as an option. Europeans are more aware of fuel economy and generally are used to less powerful cars in general. The average european car is a compact 4 cylender car with not too much over 100hp. The average american car has a V6 averaging over 3.5l and 200hp. The GT would have a place in europe with the IRS. The V6 shouldn't go over cause it sucks.

LateNightCable · 12-03-04, 12:32 AM

Anyone with a hankering for an E320CDI, only bigger would probably just settle for an S430. Seriously, you know how the U.S. market works, image and power numbers are very important ( Which is why most Americans aren't riding around in 100hp. lorries if they can help it ).

As for a 3.0 liter Diesel, American 7-Series buyers just aren't into that. Even Mercedes doesn't offer a CDI S-Class here anymore. Strange too, considering that Diesels have come a long way towards being sportier.

About the Mustang, I see it as more of a niche vehicle overseas. There are much better options if one is looking for an economy minded sporty coupe, the average bloke might get a Focus or Ka for this. In base form, the Mustang itself is pretty average, or below it . So the only way to sell it overseas is all out - IRS with a V8. A semi exotic toy.

thepolarfoxqx · 12-03-04, 12:58 AM

which is what I said, i just think that a GT would still sell there, you should send cobra too, but i see a demand for the mustang GT on top. Keep in mind a mustang is a much larger car than a ka

LateNightCable · 12-03-04, 01:39 AM

I originally suggested the Cobra in one of my earlier posts, because foreign buyers of Mustang would be attracted to what it stands for - big engine, tough sound effects, a certain braggadocio. Though the GT is still V8, so this naturally would be a good idea to offer.

The Ka is just a normal sized compact car by European standards.